A first-year science teacher is on paid administrative leave following a botched science experiment, sending two high school students to the hospital for minor cuts.

Gene Sheets, Muleshoe superintendent, said the school district continues to investigate the Nov. 21 incident.

Ian Campbell's suspension is standard for this kind of investigation, Sheets said.

A beaker exploded while Campbell was performing an experiment for students. Shards of glass cut several students, and the school nurse attended them, Sheets said.

The superintendent said two of the students were sent to Muleshoe Area Medical Center to ensure all of the glass was removed. The students were released shortly after they were examined.

Sheets said he was unsure what Campbell was trying to demonstrate, but the science teacher had performed the experiment before without an incident.

Sheets did not know when the investigation would be concluded, but said the school is moving forward as quickly as it can.

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